Rural Transport

Tom Murphy for PAC Ireland pictured with Shane Ross, T.D., Minister for Transport, following a second meeting to discuss new legislation and penalties for driving over the limit. There was a strong lobby from the drinks trade that the new legislation would have a detrimental effect on rural pubs, which have already been badly hit. However discussion between rural stakeholders was widened and tackled a general lack of transport in rural areas and the isolation felt by some rural residents. The meeting was informed that a recent survey showed that a requirement for transport to local shops came top of the list and transport to local pubs was at the very bottom. Stakeholders will submit recommendations to the Department of Transport in due course. It was encouraging to see that the Department announced on 3rd December that an extension to the existing rural bus service is under active consideration and will be piloted across fifteen counties, this scheme is about connecting rural communities and not just servicing rural pubs.